By Alberico Manoel | Translation by Christine Di Stefano
Enslaved Africans developed Capoeira as both a survival strategy and a cultural expression of resistance
Capoeira is one of Brazil’s most iconic cultural expressions—a unique blend of martial art, music, dance, and philosophy. But to truly understand its depth, we must begin with the meaning of its name. “Capoeira” comes from the Indigenous Tupi-Guarani language and refers to a “clearing in the forest” or “cut forest.” It was within these hidden spaces that enslaved Africans in colonial Brazil developed a fighting art disguised as dance to resist oppression.
Rooted in the 17th century during the Guerra dos Palmares (Palmares War) – a famous resistance movement in Northeast Brazil – Capoeira soon became a symbol of survival and identity among Afro-Brazilian communities. Historical records from the 19th century mention Capoeira in Rio de Janeiro, but it was in Bahia and Pernambuco where the art truly flourished and gained cultural meaning.
Mestre Bimba and the Creation of Capoeira Regional
By the 1930s, Capoeira had been criminalized for decades. Enter Mestre Bimba, a visionary Capoeirista who blended Capoeira techniques with elements of boxing and other martial arts. His new style, known as Luta Regional Baiana (today “Capoeira Regional”), helped legalize Capoeira and bring it into mainstream Brazilian society – including teaching the personal guard of President Getúlio Vargas.
However, this evolution came with a cost: some of Capoeira’s original rituals, rhythms, and spiritual foundations were gradually diluted.
The Guardians of Capoeira Angola
While Regional gained popularity, the ancestral style known as Capoeira Angola nearly disappeared. The exception was Mestre Pastinha, a legendary figure who dedicated his life to preserving Angola’s traditions. Through students like Mestre João Grande and Mestre João Pequeno, Pastinha ensured the continuity of Capoeira’s oldest lineage, safeguarding its ritual, musical, and philosophical essence.
Cultural Appropriation and the Debate Over Capoeira in Gyms
As Capoeira spread around the world—especially in gyms, fitness centers, and universities – it sparked intense debate inside Brazil.
Mestre Curió, a student of Pastinha, argues that removing Capoeira from its Afro-Brazilian social context is a form of cultural misappropriation. To him, Capoeira represents centuries of resistance, spirituality, music, and identity – elements often ignored when it becomes a mere “workout class.”
Many mestres argue that teaching Capoeira in gyms strips the art of its cultural roots.
Curió also highlights ongoing gender prejudice in some Capoeira circles:
“Inside the roda, some still show prejudice against women. For me, women play as equals. I do not accept this behavior.”
Who Should Be Allowed to Teach Capoeira?
A controversial law proposed by Brazil’s Physical Education Council seeks to regulate who can officially teach Capoeira, limiting certification to university graduates. Many Mestres strongly disagree.
Pedro Rodolpho Abib, Capoeirista and professor at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), argues that this policy appropriates a culture historically ignored by academia. He fears it disconnects Capoeira from the very communities that created and preserved it.
He points to foundational cultural elements often missing in gym-based Capoeira:
- the berimbau, which in African traditions connected the living with ancestral spirits
- mandinga, the cunning, ritual energy, and spiritual awareness central to Angola
- the mystical and religious symbolism woven into movement, music, and ceremony
Capoeira, Academia, and the Fight Against Euro-centric Narratives
For Professor Neuber Leite Costa (UFBA), the conflict extends beyond Capoeira. It reflects a broader struggle between popular knowledge and academic institutionalization. He warns that shifting control of Capoeira to university systems restricts access and removes its voice from Afro-Brazilian communities.
Professor Amelia Vieira de Souza Conrado, also from UFBA, explores Capoeira’s connection to Afro-Brazilian dance. She believes that academic analysis can deepen understanding – but insists it must embrace multicultural perspectives and reject euro-centric educational models.
She argues for educational policies that:
- recognize diverse cultural histories
- value community-based knowledge
- protect cultural authenticity
- avoid turning traditions into disposable mass-market products
The berimbau plays a sacred role, connecting practitioners to ancestral African traditions.
As Abib concludes: “When a cultural product is stripped of its identity just to please the market, it dies.”
FAQ – Otimizado para SEO e AI Search
1. What is Capoeira and where did it originate?
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art created by enslaved Africans in Brazil during the 17th century. It combines fighting techniques, acrobatics, music, and dance.
2. What is the difference between Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional?
Capoeira Angola is the traditional, ritualistic style emphasizing low movements, strategy (“mandinga”), and historical roots. Capoeira Regional is a modernized version created by Mestre Bimba in the 1930s with faster techniques and influences from other martial arts.
3. Why is Capoeira considered a cultural symbol?
Capoeira represents resistance, identity, and the survival of Afro-Brazilian traditions developed during slavery. Its music, rituals, and philosophy carry deep cultural significance.
4. Why do some Mestres criticize Capoeira taught in gyms?
Many argue that gym-based Capoeira often strips away its cultural, historical, and spiritual elements, reducing it to physical exercise and contributing to cultural misappropriation.
5. Who can teach Capoeira?
This is part of a major debate in Brazil. Traditional Mestres believe Capoeira must be taught by practitioners recognized within Capoeira communities, while some institutions argue for university-based regulation.
6. What is the role of music in Capoeira?
Music sets rhythm, dictates movement, and carries spiritual meaning. Instruments like the berimbau connect Capoeira to ancestral African rituals.
